Part 40

The leaf is divided into 3 or 5 lance-shaped parts; the margin is toothed, and the texture is coarse; it is set on short, ribbed-stems, and springs from a noticeable joint, in pairs, at regular intervals along the stalk, and branches. It is dull green in color.

The flowers are very small, and ragged, of a dull tawny orange; they are crumpled tightly into a flat head, and sometimes partly surrounded by 1 to 3 inconspicuous, little, dull yellow, rays. The head is encircled by small, narrow, green, leaf-like parts of irregular lengths; it is set on a short green stem. Two or three heads are gathered in a terminal group.

The cup-like joint of the leaf-stems is worth careful consideration, it is so neatly finished. The seed is dark and shining, and oppressively civil in its attentions to heedless wayfarers.

*Wild Sunflower.* Helianthus tuberosus. *Jerusalem Artichoke.*

Found through September and October, in cultivated fields, and along thicket borders.

The stalk branches for flowers near the top; it is leafy, large, from 3 to 7 or 8 feet, very stout, and rough with short hairs. Its color is light green.

The leaf is large, and oval, with a pointed tip and widest at the base, where it tapers into a short stem; the margin is somewhat obscurely notched, the texture is coarse, showing 3 strong ribs, and the surface is rough. The color is a full, strong green. In growth, the leaves are generally opposite, though the upper leaves are often alternate.

The disc flowers are small, tubular, and 5-pointed, of a dull yellow color; the stamens are protruding, spirally curled, and brownish; the rays, from 8 to 15 in number, are long, and broad, and colored a brilliant orange-yellow. The leafy cup, which encloses the head, is composed of several rows of green parts; the heads grow singly from the summit of the stalk, or by twos and threes, on stems, from the angles of the leaves. This is a towering plant, whose brilliant flowers and vigorous leafage render it an effective feature of the wild hedgerow. Its tuberous root is sometimes cooked as a vegetable, and in a raw state is eaten by men and boys.

*Bushy Goldenrod.* Solidago lanceolata.

Found during August, growing in open, dry fields, and waysides.

The stalk reaches about 3 feet in height; it is leafy, and branching widely, slender, and rough to the touch. Color, green.

The leaf is like a grass blade, very narrow and long, pointed at both ends, with an entire margin, and parallel veins; the texture is thin, the edge and midrib slightly rough. In color gray-green.

The disc flowers are few, the ray flowers very short, from 10 to 18 in number. The heads are arranged in small flat-topped clusters.

The branches are so nicely graduated in length that they form a large-topped flowery summit to the slender stalk, the buds opening in the center first. The green is tempered to a more perfect harmony with the yellow bloom than is usual among the Goldenrods, and the cup is of so yellow a hue it scarcely shows a trace of green.

*White Goldenrod.* Solidago bicolor. *Silver-rod.*

Found in August and September growing in dry soil, often in light shade.

The stalk is noticeably erect, and usually single, of coarse fibre, and rough to the touch; 1 or 2 feet high. Green.

The leaf is narrow, and tapering to a point at both ends, with a sharp tip. The margin of the lower leaves is notched, the upper leaves are entire. They sit close upon the stalk in alternate arrangement. The color is a homely green.

The rays are from 4 to 12 in number; and cream colored, like the disc flowers. The small heads are gathered in crowded groups, set in the angles of the small, pale, upper leaves, forming a long club-shaped spike.

Sometimes the plant is slightly hairy, and occasionally the lower leaves are oval in shape, and furnished with stems. The bloom begins at the tip of the spike, whose gesture deserves the name of “rod” more nearly than its more graceful sisters. If not well-nourished the blossoms are apt to be ragged, and dingy in color.

*Plume Goldenrod.* Solidago juncea.

Found in August and September, in grassy fields, growing to the height of 2 or 3 feet.

The graceful and elegant stalk is smooth, round, and shining. Color, light yellow-green.

The upper leaves are lance-shaped, long-pointed at either end, with entire margins; they spring from the stalk with a noticeable arch. The lower leaves are larger, more nearly oval, lengthening to a margined base or stem; they are sometimes sparingly notched. In arrangement alternate, with small leaves putting forth from the angles. Color, a yellowish-green.

The ray flowers are from 8 to 12 in number. The heads are arranged, in little spires, along the upper sides of slender stems, which form a long, spreading, curving plume.

This is perhaps the handsomest of the clan in growth. It dries well for winter decoration.

*Common Goldenrod.* Solidago Canadensis. *Tall Goldenrod.*

Found by the wayside, hedgerows, thickets and fields, everywhere; common: blossoming in August and September.